Obama Urges Congress: Reform Immigration Rules
02 July 2010
A demonstrator protests Arizona's immigration law in Los Angeles before the start of a Los Angeles Dodgers' baseball game with the Arizona Diamondbacks in May. Some people have called for a boycott of Arizona products because of the law
This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.
One of Barack Obama's campaign promises was to reform immigration policies. On Thursday he gave his first major speech on the issue as president.
BARACK OBAMA: "In sum, the system is broken. And everybody knows it."
One reason for the speech was the state of Arizona's recent passage of its own law against illegal immigration. That law has led to protests around the country. However, in public opinion surveys a majority of Americans support it. Mr. Obama criticized the law, but said such laws are the understandable result of inaction at the federal level.
After his speech, religious leaders demonstrated to call for Congress to act this year. Rabbi Michael Feingold works with immigrant and low-wage workers in New York.
MICHAEL FEINGOLD: "The way the system is now works for no one. It doesn't work for the immigrants themselves, it doesn't work for the government and it doesn't even work for some employers."
The president said reform must be comprehensive, dealing not just with future immigrants but also those here now. An estimated eleven million are undocumented.
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